Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps

By Sally on January 27, 2014

appetizers & snacks, chicken & turkey, gluten-free, the daniel plan,

4 Comments

Perfect for hungry Superbowl guests or a busy weeknight dinner for family, Asian lettuce wraps or lettuce cups are a winner. Best part is you can make the filling a day or two ahead and warm it up to serve for less time in the kitchen.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

This is fun, healthy and satisfying food, all at the same time. Popularized by Asian restaurant chain, PF Changs, today there are many versions of these lettuce wraps or cups. Lettuce, in this case Romaine leaves, make a wrap or vessel to spoon savory filling into. Spoon on a little dipping sauce and chow down.

Ground Turkey and Vegetables

What makes this recipe a standout is using vegetables along with ground turkey for crunch, color, and more nutrition. Some recipes use water chestnuts, but the snow peas and carrots add more punch. While water chestnuts are more traditional for adding crunch, they are pretty tasteless and colorless. As the saying goes, we eat with our eyes first. Color is good.

Choose ground turkey that is between 10% and 15% fat for more flavor and less chance of ending up with a dry dish. Ginger and garlic add zing to the flavor.

Ingredient Notes

Ginger – I keep a jar of organic, pureed ginger in the refrigerator at all times. Not only do I love the flavor of ginger and cook with it often, it is anti-inflammatory and great for digestion.

The brand I like best is made by The Ginger People. It is a fine puree (the jar says minced) and melts into a dish quickly. It’s available on Amazon and at many stores on the Asian products aisle. Try ginger mixed into simple brown rice for great flavor. It is a good side dish for these lettuce wraps if you want to add a whole grain.

You can also use fresh ginger root. Peel the brown papery exterior with a vegetable peeler, then use a microplane zester for fine ginger root.

Tamari – Also know as soy sauce, tamari is wheat-free, perfect if you follow a gluten-free diet. Be sure to buy low sodium organic.

One last note. I use unrefined, organic coconut oil for this recipe (and many others). My favorite brand is Dr. Bronners, white label, if you are not familiar with it. Very healthy and mild tasting oil.

Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Prep Time

Cook Time

Description

These Asian lettuce wraps (or lettuce cups ) feature ground turkey with ginger and garlic for appetizing game-day eats or an easy weeknight dinner that is serve-yourself. Chopped snow peas and carrots add vegetables, crunch and color. Spoon filling into crisp Romaine leaves and enjoy with a spoonful of sauce drizzled over the top. Note – do not add salt to this dish as tamari, even low sodium, is salty enough.

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Margaret | February 7, 2014 at 12:30 pm

I am new to your blog….found it by searching for almond milk recipe. I made these lettuce wraps last night…..not quite sure how they would go over with my kids (7 yr old and 5 yr old twins). They were a big hit! Everyone loved the taste and we had so much fun eating them. The kids made a mess but it was well worth it. Thanks for a great recipe.

Sally | February 7, 2014 at 4:06 pm

Linda | February 24, 2014 at 9:14 am

I made these for dinner and my daughter loved them. She loves food that she can build herself and has fun experimenting with flavors herself. I like the less carb aspect of it. I have a tip on using fresh ginger that my Mom taught me long ago to share. I freeze fresh ginger in a ziplock bag and when I remove it to use it is hard and easy to peel and grate with a microplane grater. I only peel and grate what I need for that recipe and the remainder goes back in the freezer. Thanks for the fun recipe.

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